Frequently Asked Questions

There’s a lot to learn about Bahlsen. Here are some of the answers to questions we hear most often.

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was established in 2004 by WWF. The RSPO brings together interest groups from seven sectors of the palm oil industry: growers, processors, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks and investors, environmental protection organizations as well as social and developmental aid organizations. The task of the global organization is to ensure the growth and use of sustainable palm oil products through global standards by promoting conservative cultivation methods and limiting environmental damage.

In 2012, Bahlsen completed the switch from using conventional palm oil in production to using sustainable palm oil that complies with the “Mass Balance” RSPO standards.
The next step is to switch the pure palm oil for certified, “segregated” standard palm oil by 2016. This step considerably improves the traceability of the raw material. We will continue to have a strong presence in Malaysia and Indonesia, which will allow us to monitor the situation and development in cultivation areas with our own eyes.

In collaboration with the biggest palm oil growers in South East Asia and with companies throughout the supply chain, the RSPO aims to establish the sustainable growth of palm oil. WWF is also heavily involved. However, this is a long-term process that must be pursued with the aid of governments in the countries that cultivate palm oil, whilst also refining the criteria for the RSPO certification. The weaknesses of the RSPO are also apparent here, for example the lack of criteria for protecting peat soils and the lack of commitment to completely abstaining from clearing rainforest land. In Germany, the “Forum for sustainable palm oil” will campaign for the criteria to be refined accordingly. We want to support this process and as a result, have joined this forum.

In principle we recommend storing our biscuits in a cool, dry place, but not in the refrigerator. After opening, keep the biscuits either in a freezer bag, fastened with an aroma clip, or in an airtight tin.

We do not recommend storing our biscuits in the refrigerator or freezer. Freezers and refrigerators can be very humid and storing your biscuits or chocolate products there will alter the quality by changing the texture and flavor.

Sadly, we cannot meet this request: As a food producer we have to observe strict hygiene regulations for the benefit of our customers and therefore cannot allow visitors into our production areas. This is the only way to guarantee the proven, faultless quality of our products.